Personal Injury Partner Witnesses Cyclist Hit and Run
Last Wednesday evening (27th July) I was returning home form a lovely training ride with 3 friends. We had done a 40 mile loop in the New Forest on our road bikes. At 8.45pm, we were cycling through Christchurch, Dorset when a car driver who was behind our group starting beeping his horn. One of the cyclists had already started to move out towards the middle of the road and was clearly indicating his intention to turn right at the approaching mini-roundabout. The driver ignored that signal and overtook at speed on the wrong side of the road. A traffic island in the middle of the road made him swerve in at the last minute and he then knocked the cyclist off his bike into the road.
If that was not bad enough, the driver failed to stop and drove off down the High Street at high speed. Fortunately, myself and another cyclist got the registration number. The Police were called and witness statements given. The whole incident was caught on CCTV in the town and the Police will be prosecuting the driver.
The cyclist who was hit initially sustained cuts and grazes. After about 10 minutes, he started to develop a swelling on his forehead. He was wearing a helmet and did not hit his head hard. The helmet had a scuff mark only. He was taken to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital and discharged 6 hours later with a fractured finger, wounds dressed and head injury advice. He collapsed 3 times in the Hospital.
This disgraceful incident just highlights the dangers cyclists face on the roads today. The driver only had to wait 30 seconds and he could have overtaken safely.
In addition, the incident has highlighted again the importance for cyclists to wear helmets. This was a low speed collision but the speed with which a swelling appeared despite the helmet was very frightening. I dread to think what the outcome would have been had he not been wearing a helmet.
David McWilliam is the Partner in charge of the Personal Injury Department at Ellis Jones. He specialises in cycling accident claims. If you have been the victim of a hit & run accident or any other accident on your bike, call David on 01202 057710 for a free consultation or e-mail your query to him on david.mcwilliam@ellisjones.co.uk
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